Engineering Mechanics

Objectives

The engineering mechanics graduate program is involved in teaching and research in analytical, computational, and experimental methods in mechanics of solids, structures, and materials and fluid mechanics. The objectives of the program are to enable the student to attain a deeper understanding of engineering mechanics fundamentals, a knowledge of recent developments, and the ability as a master's degree student to participate in research and as a doctoral degree student to conduct individual research. The goals are accomplished through coursework, seminars, and active research programs.

Areas of Study and Facilities

Graduate study and facilities for research are offered in the areas of theoretical mechanics and applied mathematics, dynamics, computational mechanics, experimental fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, finite element methods, boundary element methods, experimental mechanics, solid and structural mechanics, and structural dynamics. The extensive facilities of Information Technology Services and related hardware for interactive computer graphics and real-time control of experiments are available to graduate students for research use. For experimental research, the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics maintains laboratory facilities on campus and at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus. These facilities include equipment for studies in high-velocity impact, structural dynamics, and materials science. A well-equipped machine shop is partially supported by the department, and technical assistance is available when required.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for a graduate degree in engineering mechanics must meet all the general requirements for advanced degrees. Particular details are given below.

Master of Science in Engineering

Before being admitted to candidacy, the student must have a satisfactory proficiency in basic and intermediate material in engineering mechanics and mathematics. Students entering without an undergraduate degree in engineering are usually required to do some remedial work at the undergraduate level. A master's degree program normally consists of twenty-four semester hours of graduate coursework in engineering mechanics and related fields, and six semester hours in the thesis course. Two optional routes to the master's degree are available by petition to the Graduate Studies Committee. These are thirty-six hours of coursework with no thesis or report and thirty hours of coursework and a report based on work done in an additional prescribed conference course. Details of the options and requirements pertaining to course selection are given in instructions supplied by the department.

Doctor of Philosophy

Doctoral candidates must fulfill the basic course requirements prescribed for candidates for the master's degree. Beyond that, the course program is tailored to each student's needs.

Before being admitted to candidacy for the degree, the student must pass both a written and an oral qualifying examination on graduate-level material in mechanics and mathematics.

After being admitted to candidacy, the student completes coursework, carries out an acceptable program of original research, and writes a dissertation covering this research. The committee appointed to approve the Program of Work and the dissertation examines the student for both breadth and depth of knowledge. Examinations may be oral or written or both and must include a public defense of the dissertation.

Further information about policy, procedure, and requirements is available from the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

For More Information

Mailing address: The University of Texas at Austin, Graduate Program in Engineering Mechanics, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, 1 University Station C0600, Austin TX 78712